Dc milestone

Washington D.C.’s Plan for Clean Water: Is the District On Track?Residents in the region are starting to see the benefits of investments and improvements made inlocal waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. The practices that protect and restore our waterways—tree plantings, polluted runoff infiltration practices, urban stream restoration, and upgrades to waste-water treatment plants—ultimately improve our quality of life by reducing flooding, securing healthierdrinking water, beautifying our neighborhoods, and ensuring safer waters for recreation. Unfortu-nately, despite making progress, the Chesapeake Bay watershed still remains a system dangerouslyout of balance. Too much nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution continues to run off ourlawns and city streets, and into local streams, the Potomac River, and the Bay.

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Bay jurisdictions established science-based limits for these pollutants and state-specific plans to achieve them, together known as the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. EPA, the states, and Washington, D.C., also committed to implementactions to achieve 60 percent of the needed reductions by 2017 and 100 percent by 2025.

To ensure these clean-water efforts stay on track, each of the states and Washington, D.C., committed totwo-year goals or milestones detailing the programs and practices intended to be met in the near-term toachieve the 2017 and 2025 long-term goals. The milestones are a critical accountability tool, providing theopportunity to measure progress in the context of long-term Bay restoration efforts. Because of the impor-tance of the milestones, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Choose Clean Water Coalition are collab-orating to evaluate and publicize pollution-reduction progress. This report evaluates, for select practices,whether Washington, D.C., achieved its 2012/2013 two-year milestone goals and whether or not thisprogress is on a trajectory to achieve 60 percent implementation by 2015 and full implementation by 2025.

Conclusion Washington, D.C., has exceeded 2013 goals for four out of the six practices selected for evaluation. Wash-ington, D.C., compensated for its two unachieved milestones by exceeding goals in other, more efficient,practices like infiltration practices and impervious surface reduction. We commend D.C. leaders and theDistrict Department of the Environment (DDOE) for achieving their clean-up reductions early and settingmore stringent expectations under the Sustainable D.C. Plan.

However, we urge Washington, D.C., to recognize the value of setting bi-annual milestones that reflect itsimplementation plans so that reported data accurately represents D.C.’s commitment to pollution reduc-tions. The District will need to account for substantial commitments remaining in impervious surface re-ductions, tree planting, and urban stream restoration. As such, DDOE has developed ambitious milestonegoals for 2015 that will encourage significant progress toward D.C.’s 2025 goals.

In addition, the District must redouble efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution. Recent efforts like the 2012passage of fertilizer regulations, a commitment to fifteen-million-square feet of urban polluted runoff retrofitsper year, and increased incentives for landowners to manage runoff, will reduce nitrogen pollution.

We commend DDOE for adopting the new polluted runoff rule and wetlands regulations in 2013, imple-menting a new credit trading policy, and consolidating polluted runoff permit implementation plans. Washington, D.C., has established itself as a regional and national leader through its commitment to pollution reduction. We call on the mayor-elect for a formal commitment to clean-water plans within established deadlines.

June 2014

AT A GLANCE

Urban/Suburban

Urban Tree Planting

StormwaterInfiltration Practices

Stormwater Ponds

Street Sweeping

Impervious SurfaceReduction

Urban StreamRestoration

See the charts on the inside ofthis sheet for more information.

For more detailed informationon all of Washington, D.C.’smilestone goals, go to:www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/Chesapeake Bay/Ensur-ingResults.html.

2012/2013 FINAL ASSESSMENT

Washington, D.C. Milestones

6 Herndon Avenue | Annapolis, Maryland 21403888/SAVEBAY | cbf.org

How this Report was CompiledWe selected a subset of implemented practices within two pollution source categories—urban/suburban sources and waste-water treatment—based on their potential to provide substantialnitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution reductions andoffer important lessons for implementation moving forward. Foreach practice, progress (% achievement) was evaluated by lookingat incremental progress between the base year, 2011, and 2013,compared to the 2013 milestone goal. Progress during this mile-stone period was also compared to the long-term (2017 and2025) implementation benchmarks that the states and Washing-ton, D.C., committed to in their Watershed ImplementationPlans. Data were provided by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

706 Giddings Avenue 1-B | Annapolis, Maryland 21401443/759-3400 | choosecleanwater.org

Pollution Reduction in Washington, D.C., at a GlanceWashington, D.C., has seen net reductions in nitrogen, phos-phorus, and sediment pollution. However, nitrogen and sedi-ment load reductions from the urban sector are not on trackto meet the long-term goals. This should be of greatest concernto Washington, D.C., leaders as the population grows and cre-ates pressures that exacerbate polluted runoff.

Success StoryCanal Park is a new public community natural space in the heartof the recently revitalized Capital Riverfront area of southeast Wash-ington, D.C. The award-winning park’s design incorporates advancedsustainability features for polluted-runoff management and wateruse. Canal Park is an example of what diverse public and privatepartnerships can accomplish in the name of cleaner waterways andcommunity revival. Today, Washington, D.C., residents can enjoy thispublic natural space while its aesthetic environmental site designimproves the natural environment.

This historic park was first conceptualized in the late 1990s whenThe W.C. Smith Company purchased and invested in land along theWashington Canal that largely consisted of vacant lots and aban-doned warehouses. Today, this once-desolate area is a redeveloped,river-friendly community, bringing economic prosperity back to thesoutheast region of the city.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

2025201720132011

2025GOAL

POLLUTED RUNOFF

WASTEWATER

2017GOAL

Modeled Nitrogen Loads and Long Term Goals in Washington, D.C., by Sector (thousands of pounds)

Source: Chesapeake Bay Program Watershed Model 5.3.2

0

20

40

60

80

120

2025201720132011

POLLUTED RUNOFF

1002025GOAL

WASTEWATER

2017GOAL

Modeled Phosphorus Loads and Long Term Goals in Washington, D.C., by Sector (thousands of pounds)

Washington, D.C., has already exceeded its 2025 nitrogen-reduction goals by220 percent. However, D.C. has only secured 4 percent of its 2017 nitrogen-reduction goal from urban runoff. Though D.C. has met its 2025 nitrogen reductions through wastewater treatment, it must accelerate efforts to addressthe greater challenge of polluted runoff.

As of 2013, Washington, D.C.’s, total phosphorus load is decreasing, but it hasonly achieved 33 percent of its 2025 goal for phosphorus reductions from pol-luted runoff. We encourage Washington, D.C., to commit to achieving these phos-phorus reductions for polluted runoff despite exceeding total reduction goals.

*Pollution reduction is ahead of schedule for this sector.

**

Assessment of D.C.’s Progress on Selected Pollution-Reduction Practices for 2013

Urban Stream Restoration feet This milestone was exceeded, though D.C. saw no increase in streamrestoration between 2012 and 2013 due to permitting obstacles. DDOEwill restore roughly 28,000 additional square feet by 2016. D.C. has made

honorable commitments to restoring and planting an additional 50 percent ofwetlands that will provide resiliency in riverside and streamside communities.

0

10,000

30,000

50,000

2011 2015 2019 2021 2023

40,000

2013 2017G

2025G

20,000

Progress Relative to Long-Term Goals (feet)

Urban/Suburban Polluted Runoff

Impervious Surface (e.g. roads, roofs, etc.) Reduction acresThe Sustainable D.C. Plan calls for 75 percent of the District’s landscapeto capture rainwater for filtration and reuse by 2032. We commend theDistrict’s Department of the Environment for accelerating the pace in its

2014-2015 draft Milestones. This will address the significant commitments inD.C.’s Watershed Implementation Plan to reduce or retrofit impervious surfaces.This reduction will be instrumental toward mitigating growing urban runoff rates.

0

500

1,000

3,500

2011 2015 2019 2021 2023

1,500

2013 2017 2025G

2,000

2,500

3,000

Progress Relative to Long-Term Goals (acres)

67 (2-YEAR INCREMENTAL PROGRESS)

50 (2-YEAR INCREMENTAL MILESTONE) = 134%

Urban Tree Planting acresAlthough Washington, D.C., continues to exceed its milestone goals, a re-doubling of efforts is necessary to accomplish the Sustainable D.C. Plangoal of 8,600 new trees planted each year by 2032. To prepare for the

projected influx of new residents and the additional pollution they will contribute,Washington, D.C., strives to increase its urban tree canopy to 40 percent coverage.

0

300

900

1,500

2011 2015 2019 2021 2023

1,200

2013 2017 2025

600




Stormwater (Polluted Runoff) Infiltration Practices* acresWashington, D.C., annually surpasses its milestone goals for traditionalpolluted runoff practices. Yet overall, nitrogen, phosphorus, and sedimentpollution from urban runoff are not on track to meet 2017 and 2025

target reductions. Infiltration is an extremely effective practice and helps achiverequirements of the polluted runoff permit and regulations. We believe thesegoals could be more agressive.

0

500

1,000

2,000

2011 2015 2019 2021 2023

1,500

2013 2017 2025G




Stormwater (Polluted Runoff) Ponds** acresThe District’s new polluted runoff rule, released in July of 2013, insti-tuted performance standards for superior retention on large develop-ment sites. This will lead to greater runoff reductions when the rule

soon goes into effect. We call on Washington, D.C., to avoid a third consecutiveyear of failing to meet milestone goals for stormwater ponds in 2015.

0

300

900

1,500

2011 2015 2019 2021 2023

1,200

2013 2017 2025

600


114 (2-YEAR INCREMENTAL PROGRES)


Street Sweeping acresAccording to the Chesapeake Bay Program (CBP) data, two percentfewer streets were treated in 2013 than in 2011, but the District De-partment of the Environment (DDOE) raised concerns that this was

inaccurate. We commend the District for exceeding its 2025 deadline require-ment early in 2010, but we call on CBP and DDOE to work together to ensureconsistency in reported data.

0

500

1,000

2,500

2011 2015 2019 2021 2023

1,500

2013 2017 2025G

2,000


-14 (2-YEAR INCREMENTAL PROGRESS)

828 (2-YEAR INCREMENTAL MILESTONE) = -2%

**Wetponds & wetlands, dry ponds, extended dry ponds. *Infiltration practices, filtering practices, bioretention, and bioswale.

2,150 (2-YEAR INCREMENTAL PROGRESS)


P 2-YEAR INCREMENTAL PROGRESS M 2-YEAR INCREMENTAL MILESTONE

P

M

P

M

P

M

P

M

P

M

P

M

P

M

P

M

P

M

P

M

PM

P

M

MILESTONEPROGRESS MILESTONEPROGRESS MILESTONEPROGRESS MILESTONEPROGRESS

MILESTONEPROGRESSMILESTONEPROGRESS

Washington D.C.’s Plan for Clean Water: Is the District On Track?Residents in the region are starting to see the benefits of investments and improvements made inlocal waterways and the Chesapeake Bay. The practices that protect and restore our waterways—tree plantings, polluted runoff infiltration practices, urban stream restoration, and upgrades to waste-water treatment plants—ultimately improve our quality of life by reducing flooding, securing healthierdrinking water, beautifying our neighborhoods, and ensuring safer waters for recreation. Unfortu-nately, despite making progress, the Chesapeake Bay watershed still remains a system dangerouslyout of balance. Too much nitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution continues to run off ourlawns and city streets, and into local streams, the Potomac River, and the Bay.

In 2010, the U.S. Environmental Protection Agency (EPA) and the Bay jurisdictions established science-based limits for these pollutants and state-specific plans to achieve them, together known as the Chesapeake Clean Water Blueprint. EPA, the states, and Washington, D.C., also committed to implementactions to achieve 60 percent of the needed reductions by 2017 and 100 percent by 2025.

To ensure these clean-water efforts stay on track, each of the states and Washington, D.C., committed totwo-year goals or milestones detailing the programs and practices intended to be met in the near-term toachieve the 2017 and 2025 long-term goals. The milestones are a critical accountability tool, providing theopportunity to measure progress in the context of long-term Bay restoration efforts. Because of the impor-tance of the milestones, the Chesapeake Bay Foundation and the Choose Clean Water Coalition are collab-orating to evaluate and publicize pollution-reduction progress. This report evaluates, for select practices,whether Washington, D.C., achieved its 2012/2013 two-year milestone goals and whether or not thisprogress is on a trajectory to achieve 60 percent implementation by 2015 and full implementation by 2025.

Conclusion Washington, D.C., has exceeded 2013 goals for four out of the six practices selected for evaluation. Wash-ington, D.C., compensated for its two unachieved milestones by exceeding goals in other, more efficient,practices like infiltration practices and impervious surface reduction. We commend D.C. leaders and theDistrict Department of the Environment (DDOE) for achieving their clean-up reductions early and settingmore stringent expectations under the Sustainable D.C. Plan.

However, we urge Washington, D.C., to recognize the value of setting bi-annual milestones that reflect itsimplementation plans so that reported data accurately represents D.C.’s commitment to pollution reduc-tions. The District will need to account for substantial commitments remaining in impervious surface re-ductions, tree planting, and urban stream restoration. As such, DDOE has developed ambitious milestonegoals for 2015 that will encourage significant progress toward D.C.’s 2025 goals.

In addition, the District must redouble efforts to reduce nitrogen pollution. Recent efforts like the 2012passage of fertilizer regulations, a commitment to fifteen-million-square feet of urban polluted runoff retrofitsper year, and increased incentives for landowners to manage runoff, will reduce nitrogen pollution.

We commend DDOE for adopting the new polluted runoff rule and wetlands regulations in 2013, imple-menting a new credit trading policy, and consolidating polluted runoff permit implementation plans. Washington, D.C., has established itself as a regional and national leader through its commitment to pollution reduction. We call on the mayor-elect for a formal commitment to clean-water plans within established deadlines.

June 2014

AT A GLANCE

Urban/Suburban

Urban Tree Planting

StormwaterInfiltration Practices

Stormwater Ponds

Street Sweeping

Impervious SurfaceReduction

Urban StreamRestoration

See the charts on the inside ofthis sheet for more information.

For more detailed informationon all of Washington, D.C.’smilestone goals, go to:www.epa.gov/reg3wapd/tmdl/Chesapeake Bay/Ensur-ingResults.html.

2012/2013 FINAL ASSESSMENT

Washington, D.C. Milestones

6 Herndon Avenue | Annapolis, Maryland 21403888/SAVEBAY | cbf.org

How this Report was CompiledWe selected a subset of implemented practices within two pollution source categories—urban/suburban sources and waste-water treatment—based on their potential to provide substantialnitrogen, phosphorus, and sediment pollution reductions andoffer important lessons for implementation moving forward. Foreach practice, progress (% achievement) was evaluated by lookingat incremental progress between the base year, 2011, and 2013,compared to the 2013 milestone goal. Progress during this mile-stone period was also compared to the long-term (2017 and2025) implementation benchmarks that the states and Washing-ton, D.C., committed to in their Watershed ImplementationPlans. Data were provided by the U.S. Environmental ProtectionAgency’s Chesapeake Bay Program Office.

706 Giddings Avenue 1-B | Annapolis, Maryland 21401443/759-3400 | choosecleanwater.org

Pollution Reduction in Washington, D.C., at a GlanceWashington, D.C., has seen net reductions in nitrogen, phos-phorus, and sediment pollution. However, nitrogen and sedi-ment load reductions from the urban sector are not on trackto meet the long-term goals. This should be of greatest concernto Washington, D.C., leaders as the population grows and cre-ates pressures that exacerbate polluted runoff.

Success StoryCanal Park is a new public community natural space in the heartof the recently revitalized Capital Riverfront area of southeast Wash-ington, D.C. The award-winning park’s design incorporates advancedsustainability features for polluted-runoff management and wateruse. Canal Park is an example of what diverse public and privatepartnerships can accomplish in the name of cleaner waterways andcommunity revival. Today, Washington, D.C., residents can enjoy thispublic natural space while its aesthetic environmental site designimproves the natural environment.

This historic park was first conceptualized in the late 1990s whenThe W.C. Smith Company purchased and invested in land along theWashington Canal that largely consisted of vacant lots and aban-doned warehouses. Today, this once-desolate area is a redeveloped,river-friendly community, bringing economic prosperity back to thesoutheast region of the city.

0

500

1,000

1,500

2,000

2,500

2025201720132011

2025GOAL

POLLUTED RUNOFF

WASTEWATER

2017GOAL

Modeled Nitrogen Loads and Long Term Goals in Washington, D.C., by Sector (thousands of pounds)

Source: Chesapeake Bay Program Watershed Model 5.3.2

0

20

40

60

80

120

2025201720132011

POLLUTED RUNOFF

1002025GOAL

WASTEWATER

2017GOAL

Modeled Phosphorus Loads and Long Term Goals in Washington, D.C., by Sector (thousands of pounds)

Washington, D.C., has already exceeded its 2025 nitrogen-reduction goals by220 percent. However, D.C. has only secured 4 percent of its 2017 nitrogen-reduction goal from urban runoff. Though D.C. has met its 2025 nitrogen reductions through wastewater treatment, it must accelerate efforts to addressthe greater challenge of polluted runoff.

As of 2013, Washington, D.C.’s, total phosphorus load is decreasing, but it hasonly achieved 33 percent of its 2025 goal for phosphorus reductions from pol-luted runoff. We encourage Washington, D.C., to commit to achieving these phos-phorus reductions for polluted runoff despite exceeding total reduction goals.

*Pollution reduction is ahead of schedule for this sector.

**

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